Câmara de Lobos

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Câmara de Lobos
Coat of arms Map
Statistics
Region: Madeira Islands
District: Madeira Island
Population: 34,614 2001
Area: 51.82 km²
Density 667.96/km²
Altitude: Lowest and Centre: Atlantic Ocean
Highest: -
Number of parishes: 5
Website: www.camaradelobos.org
Câmara de Lobos as seen from the Cabo Girao.
Câmara de Lobos as seen from the Cabo Girao.

Câmara de Lobos (pron. IPA['kɐmɐɾɐ dɨ 'lobuʃ]; Portuguese meaning chamber of the wolves) is a city,a parish and a municipality in the west-central part of Madeira. Câmara de Lobos is named after the area where sea-wolves lobos-marinhos are found. They are the monk seals, two of which are also seen in its coat of arms. Today, there are fewer monk seals than a couple of decades ago. Câmara de Lobos is the second largest city by population in Madeira,after Funchal. Its city and parish population is 16,842- and that of the borough is 34,614. The parish is one of the smallest on the island. Its area is 51.82 km². Its density is 667.96/km² thus ranking the second most densest in Madeira. It is located W of Funchal and E of Ribeira Brava. It is the second largest city of Madeira island,after Funchal,the capital of the Autonomous Region of Madeira.The Atlantic ocean borders the S,the mountains,the N. (slightly north with an elevation of about 150 m) and further north there are residential areas. The high rises and condominiums lie nearly 800 m northwest lining up in a row. Câmara de Lobos shares the Funchal urban conurbation (it is connected with the urban sprawl with Funchal). Most of the housing developments were done in the mid to late 20th century in the north. Prior to the housing efforts, farmlands used to cover the northern portion of Câmara de Lobos.

The main sources of industry are agriculture and fishing while a small number of businesses are located in the downtown area. The area is separated by Estreito de Câmara de Lobos. The area produces Madeira Wine in its local vineyards. In the western part lies Cabo Girão, one of the highest cliffs in Europe (elevation: 580 m). The small point is south of the small port. The downtown core is in the central part and residential areas lie to the west and the northern part with more buildings over the mountain.

It was the first place where the discoverer of Madeira João Gonçalves Zarco landed, and from where he took his new last name.

Contents

[edit] Coat of arms

Its coat of arms' color is blue with two monk seals in the middle of a golden anchor.

  • Location:
    • Latitude: 32.633 (32°38') N
    • Longitude: 16.9833 (16°59') W

There are a few schools, a few lyceums, a gymnasium, banks, a post office, a small port, beaches and squares or plazas (praças) in Câmara de Lobos.

[edit] Parishes

The view of Câmara de Lobos
The view of Câmara de Lobos

The five parishes of Câmara de Lobos are:




[edit] Parish of Câmara de Lobos

The parish(and City) had a population of 16,842 in 2001, its density was 2,210.2/km² and the area is 7.62 km².

[edit] External links


Northwest: São Vicente North: Santana
West: Ribeira Brava
Câmara de Lobos East: Funchal
South: Atlantic Ocean